Gibsonville officers now allowed to drive police cars to and from home, work

Thursday

Aug 7, 2014 at 12:01 AMAug 7, 2014 at 6:16 PM

Anna Johnson / Times-News

GIBSONVILLE — With approval by the local governing body, Gibsonville police patrol officers are now allowed to drive their police vehicles to and from their residences to work.

The Gibsonville Board of Aldermen voted in favor changing the policy — previously patrol officers left their vehicles at the station — during its meeting this week.

“Our officers will be highly visible in the community coming to work, while at work and returning from work,” according to the policy. “This program will also provide for a more rapid response to critical incidents.”

Taking police vehicles home will not be considered a right, according to the police, but a special privilege that can be stripped if abused.

The policy stipulates that:

â–ª Officers be full-time, sworn officers who successfully complete all phases of the Field Training Program;

â–ª They reside within 20 miles of the contiguous town limits unless otherwise authorized;

â–ª If an officerÂ’s driving history reflects one or more driving offenses or Â“at faultÂ” accidents, the privilege may be revoked;

â–ª The vehicle may be driven only to and from work to the employeeÂ’s home, to a location to Â“engage in supplemental employment contracted through and approved by the department,Â” to a carwash or maintenance facility while on duty, to an approved training site, to court when an employee is subpoenaed to appear, or to Â“any location with the permission of the chief of police or patrol supervisorÂ”;

â–ª Only the officer may drive the vehicle and no unauthorized passengers may ride in it; and

â–ª No alcohol, drugs or contraband may be transported in the vehicle unless the items were evidence and were being transported for official purposes.

The town leaders also tabled a proposed ordinance to allow “mobile food vendors” within town limits, and honored Keith Duggins, a longtime Gibsonville Public Works employee who died earlier this year.

“He was a very dedicated employee who is heavily missed,” Town Manager Ben Baxley said. “He was a great guy and a stellar performer. It was a sad situation that impacted everyone.”

Mayor Lenny Williams agreed and called Duggins a man who constantly had a smile on his face and was always ready to complete his work.